Theological School responds to the shooting of Trayvon Martin on Feburary 26, 2012.

Amy Sandlin
Student, Master of Divinity

“The best preparation for a pastor is broad experience in the multifaceted work of ministry. I got to do so much in my supervised ministry—direct education programs, provide pastoral care, preach and lead services from baptisms to funerals. And the classroom component at Drew was both intense and supportive; we were a small group of students coming together to share and learn from each other. Most importantly, the experience validated that I had been called by God to do this work.”

My Favorite Course

“PREP offered a unique opportunity to learn with ‘inside students,’ whom you would never encounter in a regular seminary class. What these women taught me was a different approach to hearing scripture and thinking about God. This class, and the work of ministry, is about finding and connecting with people wherever they are on their journey.”

Margaret Currier Student, Master of Divinity,
on her Partnership for Religion and Education in Prison (PREP) course

The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) is the most widely recognized and accepted degree for religious professionals. The M.Div. emphasizes foundational principles necessary in the practice of ministry. Candidates are expected to gain understanding in the Christian faith and in the capacity to interpret that faith to the contemporary world; to grow as persons of faith while exercising the responsibilities of the pastoral office; to become aware of social processes that bear upon pastoral leaders and the interactions of the church and society; and to develop professional competencies important to an effective ministry.

Program Duration and Location

The M.Div. program may be completed in three years of full-time study. Students who carry heavy employment or other responsibilities may extend this an additional year by carrying a lighter but still full-time load. Financial assistance may be awarded for no more than eight semesters (four years) and all requirements for the degree must be completed within 14 semesters (seven years) of the date of initial matriculation. Students may not take more than 15 credits in the fall or spring semester or 3 credits in the January term without approval of the Academic Standing Committee.

Students who cannot attend seminary full time may apply for the Extended Track Program of the Theological School. In this program, students take 15-18 credits per year including fall and spring semesters, January term, and summer terms. The program takes 5-6 years to complete on this track. Scholarships apply to all courses (even if the student is enrolled in only three credits) up to a total of 12 semesters (6 years).

There are a limited number of spaces available for Extended Track students. Students should indicate an interest in this program on their application form. Contact the Associate Academic Dean for more information on this program.

Program Curriculum

The M.Div. is awarded at the satisfactory completion of 84 credits: 51 required and 33 elective. Students are encouraged to use elective credits to shape the curriculum to their own professional goals, to fulfill specific denominational requirements for ordination, and to become more proficient in areas where future ministry needs may have been identified.

BBST 501 - Biblical Literature I: Torah, Prophets, Writings

An introduction to the first testament as a source for understanding and appropriating the religious experiences, insights, commitments, and expectations of the various communities of ancient Israel. The focus is on learning to interpret biblical texts with theological and ethical sensitivity, using the tools and skills of historical-critical, social-scientific, literary-critical, and contextual research.

Credits: 3

Offered: fall semester annually.

BBST 511 - Biblical Literature II: Gospels, Epistles, Apocalypse

An introduction to the history, literature, and religion of earliest Christianity. The focus is on learning to interpret biblical texts with theological and ethical sensitivity, using the tools and skills of historical-critical, social-scientific, literary-critical, and contextual research.

Credits: 3

Offered: spring semester annually.

CHST 502 - Church History 1

The history of Christianity, emphasizing its social and theological development, from the first century to the end of the 15th century.

Credits: 3

Offered: fall semester annually.

CHST 503 - Church History 2

A continuation of CHST 502, beginning with the backgrounds to the Protestant Reformation and continuing to the 21st century, emphasizing social and institutional developments and theological traditions.

An examination of the ways in which the reality of other religions and their teachings poses questions for the church's self-understanding, faith, and mission. The focus of the study is on enabling Christian congregations to deal creatively with religious plurality,

Credits: 3

CSOC 501 - Christian Ethics(Same as: COMFE 400.)

An overview of central concepts and issues in Christian social ethics, with particular attention to how those concepts and issues arise in the lives of diverse Christian communities. Preferably to be taken by M.Div. students in the second year of study, and after CSOC 500 and TPHL 501.

Credits: 3

Prerequisite: TPHL 501 and CSOC 500.

CSOC 500 - Religion and the Social Process

An introduction to sociological thinking that combines conceptual and experiential content. Students become more sensitive to and informed about current social problems. Focuses on situations of oppression and uses "the view from below" as a key to the entire social process and, specifically, the role of the church in that process. To be taken by students in the M.Div. program in the first year of study. Offered fall and spring semesters and sometimes in the summer.

Credits: 3

PSTH 501 - Pastoral Formation

Description pending.

Credits: 1

PSTH 502 - Pastoral Formation 2

The second semester of the Pastoral Formation course is designed for students to explore issues of vital importance to persons preparing for full time ministry. Through readings, small group discussion, written papers, and interaction with active clergy, students will delve into the theology and practice of ministry paying particular attention to the questions: What are some of the theological and biblical foundations for the ordained ministry? What does it mean to be a pastor? What are the specific tasks of the ordained ministry? Am I called to the ordained ministry?

Credits: 1.5

PSTH 503 - Introduction to Educational Ministry

This first-level course is intended to provide the learner with an introduction to theory and methodology of Christian Education from a liberation perspective. Christian education, for the purposes of this course, is the theory and practice (praxis or art) of nurturing faith. This course leans heavily upon the development of critical thinking skills. With the permission of the professor, one elective course may be taken before the Introduction to Educational Ministry. The elective course cannot be substituted for the introductory course.

Credits: 3

Offered: in fall and spring semesters annually.

CSOC 504 - Introduction to Pastoral Care

This course is an introduction to the ministry of pastoral care and counseling, with an emphasis on the helping relationship, theological understandings of pastoral care, pastoral uses of psychotherapeutic theories and strategies for change, various forms of pastoral care and counseling, and various cultural contexts.

Credits: 3

PSTH 505 - The Church at Worship: Worship

This course is a required, semester-long course for M.Div. and an elective for MA in Min candidates normally offered during the second year of study at Drew. This course is part of an interdisciplinary approach to worship, ritual, prayer, and music. Its primary goal is to provide historical, theological, and practical resources for leading public worship. It will include a brief history of hymnody as well as the role of music in emerging forms of worship. Students will gain new perspectives on their own worship tradition by gaining a broader understanding of historical traditions and contemporary expressions of Christian worship in an ecumenical context.

Credits: 3

PSTH 506 - The Church at Worship: Preaching

This course is a required course for M. Div. students and an elective for MTS. The course is designed to be an introductory examination of the place of preaching in the liturgical life of the church and a prerequisite for other Homiletics offerings. Students will explore both the person and the practice of preaching. Students will learn, listen, and practice the task of preaching in peer groups for engagement and feedback. Sermons will be presented in required preaching precept groups. Students will explore the relationship of preaching to both liturgy and music.

Credits: 3

Offered: every semester.

Prerequisite: The prerequisites are BBST 501 and BBST 511. It is strongly recommended that students take PSTH 548 prior to taking this course.

PSTH 521 - Supervised Ministry Practice (2 semesters)

Normally taken by full time M.Div. candidates in the second year. Related to a setting of ministry throughout the year. Weekly seminars on campus focusing on issues and problems of ministry, particularly the relationship between one's own theological understanding and style of ministry. An evaluation session in the ministry setting at the end of each semester provides students with feedback and general evaluation of their work in ministry.

Credits: 3

Prerequisite: PASTH+521.

PSTH 522 - Supervised Ministry 2

The continuation of PSTH 521 which must be completed before enrolling in PSTH 522.

Credits: 3

Learning Outcomes

The following learning outcomes are anticipated for Master of Divinity students:

the ability to see the holy in all life –in the entirety of creation

the ability to read and interpret scripture and other sacred texts with cultural sensitivity, ethical awareness, and a critical understanding of their histories, interpretations, and applications in church and society

the ability to think theologically with imagination, openness, and analytical insight

the ability to interpret histories of Christian thought and practice critically and creatively, engaging the otherness of the past while also rendering it relevant to current contexts and emerging possibilities

the ability to hear God's call to recognize and address injustice and inequality in the social structuring of gender, ethnicity, race, class, disabilities,and sexual identity

the capacity to exercise effective leadership in both ecclesial and public contexts through, for example, preaching, teaching, pastoral care, worship, and justice ministries

the development of communal and personal practices that nourish spiritual and moral well-being.

transformative engagement during the seminary years with religious pluralism and cultural difference in the classroom, on cross cultural trips, and in community life

Suggested Course Sequence For Required Courses (Full-Time)

First Year

Fall Semester

BBST 501 - Biblical Literature I: Torah, Prophets, Writings

An introduction to the first testament as a source for understanding and appropriating the religious experiences, insights, commitments, and expectations of the various communities of ancient Israel. The focus is on learning to interpret biblical texts with theological and ethical sensitivity, using the tools and skills of historical-critical, social-scientific, literary-critical, and contextual research.

Credits: 3

Offered: fall semester annually.

PSTH 501 - Pastoral Formation

Description pending.

Credits: 1

CHST 502 - Church History 1

The history of Christianity, emphasizing its social and theological development, from the first century to the end of the 15th century.

This first-level course is intended to provide the learner with an introduction to theory and methodology of Christian Education from a liberation perspective. Christian education, for the purposes of this course, is the theory and practice (praxis or art) of nurturing faith. This course leans heavily upon the development of critical thinking skills. With the permission of the professor, one elective course may be taken before the Introduction to Educational Ministry. The elective course cannot be substituted for the introductory course.

Credits: 3

Offered: in fall and spring semesters annually.

TPHL 508 - Challenge of World Religions to Christian Faith and Practice(Same as: THEPH 371.) (first or second year)

An examination of the ways in which the reality of other religions and their teachings poses questions for the church's self-understanding, faith, and mission. The focus of the study is on enabling Christian congregations to deal creatively with religious plurality,

Credits: 3

TPHL 500 - Philosophical Resources for Theology (when required)

An examination of philosophy as a distinctive way of thinking and as an influence on and resource for theology. Students read primary texts of such figures as Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Spinoza, and Kant, as well as current thinkers. (Required only for those students in the M.Div. program with no previous work in philosophy.)

Credits: 3

Offered: Fall semester annually.

Corequisite: TPHL 500P.

Spring Semester

BBST 511 - Biblical Literature II: Gospels, Epistles, Apocalypse

An introduction to the history, literature, and religion of earliest Christianity. The focus is on learning to interpret biblical texts with theological and ethical sensitivity, using the tools and skills of historical-critical, social-scientific, literary-critical, and contextual research.

Credits: 3

Offered: spring semester annually.

PSTH 502 - Pastoral Formation 2

The second semester of the Pastoral Formation course is designed for students to explore issues of vital importance to persons preparing for full time ministry. Through readings, small group discussion, written papers, and interaction with active clergy, students will delve into the theology and practice of ministry paying particular attention to the questions: What are some of the theological and biblical foundations for the ordained ministry? What does it mean to be a pastor? What are the specific tasks of the ordained ministry? Am I called to the ordained ministry?

Credits: 1.5

CSOC 500 - Religion and the Social Process

An introduction to sociological thinking that combines conceptual and experiential content. Students become more sensitive to and informed about current social problems. Focuses on situations of oppression and uses "the view from below" as a key to the entire social process and, specifically, the role of the church in that process. To be taken by students in the M.Div. program in the first year of study. Offered fall and spring semesters and sometimes in the summer.

Credits: 3

CHST 503 - Church History 2

A continuation of CHST 502, beginning with the backgrounds to the Protestant Reformation and continuing to the 21st century, emphasizing social and institutional developments and theological traditions.

Second Year

Fall Semester

CSOC 501 - Christian Ethics(Same as: COMFE 400.)

An overview of central concepts and issues in Christian social ethics, with particular attention to how those concepts and issues arise in the lives of diverse Christian communities. Preferably to be taken by M.Div. students in the second year of study, and after CSOC 500 and TPHL 501.

Credits: 3

Prerequisite: TPHL 501 and CSOC 500.

PSTH 505 - The Church at Worship: Worship

This course is a required, semester-long course for M.Div. and an elective for MA in Min candidates normally offered during the second year of study at Drew. This course is part of an interdisciplinary approach to worship, ritual, prayer, and music. Its primary goal is to provide historical, theological, and practical resources for leading public worship. It will include a brief history of hymnody as well as the role of music in emerging forms of worship. Students will gain new perspectives on their own worship tradition by gaining a broader understanding of historical traditions and contemporary expressions of Christian worship in an ecumenical context.

Credits: 3

PSTH 521 - Supervised Ministry Practice

Normally taken by full time M.Div. candidates in the second year. Related to a setting of ministry throughout the year. Weekly seminars on campus focusing on issues and problems of ministry, particularly the relationship between one's own theological understanding and style of ministry. An evaluation session in the ministry setting at the end of each semester provides students with feedback and general evaluation of their work in ministry.

Credits: 3

Prerequisite: PASTH+521.

CSOC 504 - Introduction to Pastoral Care

This course is an introduction to the ministry of pastoral care and counseling, with an emphasis on the helping relationship, theological understandings of pastoral care, pastoral uses of psychotherapeutic theories and strategies for change, various forms of pastoral care and counseling, and various cultural contexts.

Credits: 3

Spring Semester

PSTH 506 - The Church at Worship: Preaching

This course is a required course for M. Div. students and an elective for MTS. The course is designed to be an introductory examination of the place of preaching in the liturgical life of the church and a prerequisite for other Homiletics offerings. Students will explore both the person and the practice of preaching. Students will learn, listen, and practice the task of preaching in peer groups for engagement and feedback. Sermons will be presented in required preaching precept groups. Students will explore the relationship of preaching to both liturgy and music.

Credits: 3

Offered: every semester.

Prerequisite: The prerequisites are BBST 501 and BBST 511. It is strongly recommended that students take PSTH 548 prior to taking this course.

PSTH 522 - Supervised Ministry 2

The continuation of PSTH 521 which must be completed before enrolling in PSTH 522.

Credits: 3

PSTH 503 - Introduction to Educational Ministry

This first-level course is intended to provide the learner with an introduction to theory and methodology of Christian Education from a liberation perspective. Christian education, for the purposes of this course, is the theory and practice (praxis or art) of nurturing faith. This course leans heavily upon the development of critical thinking skills. With the permission of the professor, one elective course may be taken before the Introduction to Educational Ministry. The elective course cannot be substituted for the introductory course.